Annual General Meeting 2016 – Strengthening Our Shared Vision

Oct 19, 2016 | Battered Women's Support Services, Events

It has been another busy month for us at Battered Women’s Support Services. Last night we hosted our Annual General Meeting at our social enterprise My Sister’s Closet.  Bringing together BWSS Society Members, invited guests and our Board of Directors.

It was a beautiful evening reflecting, commemorating and celebrating all of our combined accomplishments for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. We are incredibly encouraged and inspired for the year ahead as we continue to strengthen our shared vision through conversations collaboration and action with the community.

We have prepared this video featuring our work and relationships over this reporting year.

Thank you to all those who attended including our keynote speaker for the evening, Dr. Lucia Lorenzi, who shared with our guests about the “power of stories”. Her speak was both powerful and heartfelt and touched on several stories of violence against women currently in the media. Stay tuned to our Ending Violence blog to read her entire keynote speak from our 2016 AGM.

We also said farewell and acknowledged out going Board of Director member Kelly Hardman who has been committed, creative and will truly be missed.

Kelly Hardman

Finally, please meet the group of amazing women on the Battered Women’s Support Services Board of Directors.

Exciting Updates For BWSS’ Indigenous Women’s Program

Sep 26, 2016 | Battered Women's Support Services, Events

As a result of the impact of colonization it has been important for BWSS to be a culturally competent organization that integrates cultural safe practices. For over a decade BWSS has had positions designed to be held specifically by Indigenous women only. The creation of services and programs delivered by and for Indigenous women is included in all areas of BWSS programs and services.

Programs and services for the Indigenous Women’s Program are designed to support Indigenous women who have experienced violence and/or abuse, to heal from the legacy of colonization, the effects and intergenerational effects of residential schools. Our prevention and intervention services include counselling, victim services, legal advocacy, support groups, Talking Circles and women’s hand drum group called Wildflower Women of Turtle Island and specialized support for elders and youth. The work also includes systemic advocacy to address systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

Indigenous women inform all aspects of BWSS’ services programming and advocacy and governance through participation as volunteers staff, leadership team and Board of Directors.

We are happy to announce that Terriea Harris has stepped into the role of Manager for the Indigenous Women’s Program. As manager Terriea over sees the various programs and services for Indigenous women who access BWSS services.  Terriea believes in Indigenous ways of healing through culture and ceremony and her passion is supporting women stepping into their power through Holistic, decolonizing and traditional healing practices. She is actively and passionately involved with the ceremonial Indigenous community, and has acquired teachings from elders, medicine people and other knowledge keepers on her path.

Need a good laugh?

Sep 13, 2016 | Battered Women's Support Services, Events

Are you in need of a good laugh?

Well, come on out for Comedy Night Tuesday, September 20^th, a fundraiser for BWSS, featuring Canadian comedy legend Mike MacDonald with opener, Vancouver’s own, Melanie Rose…both VERY funny!

So join us at Vancity Theatre for a night of laughs to support our ending violence work. The evening begins with light refreshments at 7:30pm with an exclusive pop-up shop of gems from My Sister’s Closet with the show time at 8:30pm. Hosted by me, Samantha, the hostess with the mostest!

That’s not all though! Our very own, Rosa Elena Arteaga will MC the night. And I can tell you, that’s reason enough to attend, you won’t want to miss it!

This will be a fun night of laugh out loud comedy all the while raising funds for the vital services and programs that Battered Women’s Support Services provides.

I hope to see you there,

Recovery Day 2016

Sep 6, 2016 | Battered Women's Support Services, Events

Battered Women’s Support Services is happy to be connected with Together We Can and Beauty Night for Ride to Recovery on Saturday, September 10^th from 11am to 1pm.

Here’s how you can support Ride to Recovery:

Website: http://twcvancouver.org/donations/ride-to-recovery/

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/167002873728153/

Here is where Riders can get started gathering Sponsors and Donations:

http://twcvancouver.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Ride-To-Recovery-Donation-Sheet.pdf

Direct Donations here: https://goo.gl/YVUBdU

Did you know that we support women with substance use issues? Our 16 Steps for Discovery and Empowerment is a self-help group. Each week the group explores a step to help in the journey of self-awareness, self-discovery and resilience.

Learn more here.

Announcing Changes to the Indigenous Women’s Program at BWSS

Jun 3, 2016 | Battered Women's Support Services, Events

Building an organization that is culturally competent and integrates cultural safe practices has been the work at BWSS since we first began acknowledging colonization as a defining geopolitical force in 1996.  The layers of exploration and awareness and behaviour changes began structurally thereafter and in 2004, we designated positions to be held by Indigenous women only.  The creation of services and programs delivered by and for Indigenous women has included the inclusion of Indigenous women in all areas of BWSS.

Since 2012, Battered Women’s Support Services has been privileged to have the leadership of Brandy Kane.  Brandy Kane joined our team bringing a powerful vision of change to our work through direct services involving Elders, counselling, victim services, legal advocacy, Talking Circles, a women’s hand drum group called Wildflower Women of Turtle Island, and through holistic practices using traditional medicines and ceremony.  Her work has included systemic advocacy as she has worked nationally and provincially to address systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls.

“We are healing from violence and trauma, reclaiming our rightful roles as strong Indigenous women in our community, finding our voices and standing strong in our power.” Brandy Kane

Brandy joined BWSS during a pivotal time in our organizational development and has had a powerful role in helping shape our health and development individually and organizational.

Brandy has been accepted into a PhD program and will leave BWSS in July.  We are thrilled for her as she achieves another step in her personal vision.  We say farewell to an incredible leader at BWSS.

“During my time at BWSS I have had the privilege to witness women on their journey of courage, strength, and healing.  And an honour to work with so many women who are committed to ending violence against girls and women. I am truly sad to be leaving.”